Disk for flexible couplings



R. J. s'rQKlY-:s

DISK FOR FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS Filed Feb.A 2.1,y 1920 www@ e m y-MEQM. d

' F ig. 1, drawn to Patented Idar. 31, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT 3. STOKES, OF TR-ENTON, NEX/V JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO COMPANY, OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NEW' JERSEY, A CORPORATION JERSEY.

THERMOID' RUBBER OF NEW DISK FOR FLEXIBLE COUPLINGS.

Application filed February 21, 1920.

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. STORES, av citizen o1" the United States, residing in rllrenton, Mercer County, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Disks for Flexible Couplings, oi which the following is a specification.l p

My invention relates to certain improvements in disks used in flexible couplings located between a driving and a driven element. A coupling ot this type is especially applicable for use in connection with the driving parts of an automobile where the several elements should be flexibly con nected.

The object et my invention is to make a substantial disk, which will have sufficient flexibility for the purpose for which it is intended, yet will withstand the strains to which a coupling of this type is subjected.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a coupling illustrat-ing my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2,

a slightly larger scale; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3--3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4t is a side View of the` disk detached from the coupling and detached from the plates;

Fig. 5 is an edge View of the disk;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the spool and the method of winding the spool to form the disk;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7 7, Fig. 6, showing the cord partially wound on the hub of the spool;

Fig. S is a view showing the disk in the vulcanizing press;

Fig. 9 is a detached perspective view showing the clamp plates that are located at each bolt which secures the ring to the spider; and

Fig. is a view of ay modification.

1 is a driving shaft, in the present instance. .2 is the driven shaft. n 3 is a spider secured to the driving shaft and fl is a spider secured to the driven shaft. In the present instance, the spider 3 has four arms 5 and the spider i has an equal number of arms 6, which alternate with the arms ot the spider 3, as clearly shown in the drawings. 7 is the driving disk., 8 are bolts, which pass Serial No. 360,510.

through the arm 5 of the spider 3 and through the disk 7, clamping the disk rigidly to the spider, while bolts 9 pass through the arm 6 of the spider 4 and through the disk, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, clamping the disk rigidly to the spider l. i

The disk, in the present instance, consists of cord and rubber vulcanized so that there is a certain amount of flexibility, which takes up any irregularity and which allows for any unevenness between the driving and driven shaft. The driving disk, which is the main feature of my invention, consists of cord of a given thickness. In the present instance, this cord is covered with rubber and is wrapped on the hub 10 of a spool 11 having deep flanges 12, 12a. The flange 12 is fixed to the hub and the flange 12a is movable, being held in place by a nut 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. There are eight bolts securing the ring to the spider and in order that the cords will be on the direct line ot' strain, I make the hub octagonal, as clearly shown in Fig. 7 and wrap the cord firmly on the hub, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. W hen the disk is of the proper diameter it is removed from the spool 11 and placed in the lower portion 14 of a mold illustrated in Fig. 8, and a cap plate 15 having an annular projection 16 is placed on the coil of cord and pressure is applied so as to reduce the width of the ring to the proper diameter and to make it of the proper density. The mold, with the ring therein, is placed in a vulcanizer or hydraulic press of any suitable type and the rubber vulcanized, after which the ring is removed and is of the form illustrated in Figs. l and 5. Holes 17 are punched in the disk, as shown in Fig. 4:. for the reception of the bolts 8 and 9. These holes are punched on a radial line taken through the corner of the. Octagon, as clearly shown in said ligure. It will be noticed that the cords are straight from one hole to the other.

In some instances, I may bolt the disks directly to the spiders, using ordinary round washers, but I prefer to enclose the disk at the bolts with plates 1S and 19, as shown in detail in Fig. 9. The plate 18 has depending portions 2O notched at 21 to receive tongues 22 on the plate 19. These plates take the ple ce of the washers, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, so that the disk is firmly Clainped to the tWo spiders 3 and 4, iet it is tree to flex under strains.

While have illustrated the holes 17 inade by punching the disk after being formed and thus Cutting` some of the cords, I may make the disk as illustrated in Fig. 10, by placing pins Q3 in openings in the flanges of the spool at the point Where the bolts would be plaeed and then Wrap the eords on the spool, passing7` on either side of the pins.

It will be noticed that While l have shown a disk of a given thickness, the ividth and diameter may he varied Without departing iroin the essential features ot' the invention. The size of the cords niay also be varied.

l Thilo l have illustrated a single disk connecting the spi-ders, two or niore disks may he used, depending upon the drive and Henibility desired.

lVhile I have illustrated the disk as made iroin a single cord, Wrapped around the hub of a spool to 'forni the disk, a number ot cords may he used, it found desirable.

claim:

The combination of a driving disk consisting of Cords and rubber, said disk haw ing` an open center and perforated; a driving and a driven shaft; a spider on each shaft having arins, the arnis hemp; ij eriiorated in line With the peritorations in the drivin disk, the arms being,- arranged alternately in respect to each other; bolts securing the arnis to the driving` disk; and tivo plates at each bolt, one of said plates havinga depending,` portion at each end, said depending portions being,` notched, the other plate having projections adapted to the notches so that when the bolts Clanip the disk to the spider the plates will tend to hold the disk so that the flexing ot the disk will he hetvveen the plates of the series.

ROBERT J. STQKES. 

